TRAGEDY (2 SAM 12)
1. In the past 12 months we have heard about some workplace shootings.
2. During the month of February a factory worker in Suburban Chicago killed 4 people at his plant.
3.
Last December a man shot 7 people to death at an
Internet consulting firm in
4.
Last Thursday a disgruntled employee opened fire in a
5. I doubt that any of us ever expected to have a shooting happen here.
6.
7.
THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE SHOOTING IN OUR COMMUNITY WAS NOT LARGE. COMPARED TO WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE WOUNDED WAS MINIMAL. FOR THESE THINGS WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL.
A. As we think about what happened last Thursday I want to make some observations.
B. These are not exactly profound but they are relevant.
C. My beginning point is Jas. 4.
D. James knew of some people who had plans.
E. These people were merchants.
F. They planned to enter into a city and “get gain.”
G. These people even had plans regarding how long they would stay in a certain place.
H. Here
is what James said to them –
I). James realized that we are not promised a tomorrow.
II). The future is uncertain.
III). We are not even promised the rest of today.
IV). The people who died in the WTC bombing must have thought that Sep 11 was an ordinary day.
V). The people at Nu-Wood must have thought the same thing.
VI). Two more days to the weekend.
VII). It was said that Nu-Wood has 2 shifts.
VIII). The gunman apparently came in when the shift was changing.
IX). At this time some were thinking about going home.
X). Others were thinking about beginning their workday.
XI). For many everything seemed like it always was.
XII). On CNN I heard a man say he had visited this shop the day before.
XIII). From what he could tell everyone was happy, content, and smiling.
XIV). Everything seemed normal.
XV). At least one worker was not happy.
XVI). When we look at life we find that few people know when their last day will be.
XVII). Many find that their last day comes at a time when it is unexpected.
XVIII). Jesus once told of a rich farmer (Lk. 12).
XIX). This man decided that he would build bigger barns.
XX). He (like the people in Jas. 4) had plans—big plans.
XXI). Jesus said he was a “fool.”
XXII). The night that he went to bed with all kinds of plans in his head was the night he died.
XXIII). I remember my first car accident.
XXIV). It was on a Friday afternoon; I had left something at the high school.
XXV). I took my parent’s car to return to the school.
XXVI). It seemed like any other Friday.
XXVII). On the way back from the school a woman hit me.
XXVIII). An accident was the furthest thing from my mind.
2. The Bible and what we see in life says that our existence is very uncertain and unpredictable.
3. We do not and cannot know what will happen day-to-day, hour to hour, or moment to moment.
4. The Bible teaches that life is very fragile.
A. We
are like a “vapor” that appears for a little while (Jas.
B. Job (14:1) says that man is of “few days.” This is right.
5. Because life is uncertain and short we need to be ready to always be ready to enter into eternity.
6. Any moment may be our last.
7. The tomorrow we hope for and plan for may never come.
8. We have people preparing for Christmas. People are thinking about New Years.
9. We have no guarantee that we will live to see these holidays.
10. Are we prepared to leave this life at any moment?
11. Are we ready to die?
12. Are we ready to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ in judgment?
13. If not we need to make some adjustments.
14. There are no guarantees in life.
15. IN THINKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS COMMUNITY WE MAY GIVE CONSIDERATION TO SAFETY.
A. There were reports that said the police were contacted about the irate worker.
B. It has been said that all the doors were locked except one entrance.
C. People want security and safety.
D. A desire for refuge has been in man’s heart for a long time.
E. Even under the Old Testament emphasis was given having a place of refuge.
F. We live in a time when people want to be safe.
G. I read this past week that companies that make envelopes are experimenting with some changes.
H. The companies that manufacture envelopes are looking at ways to make their products safer.
I. A larger or extra window may be put in envelopes so people can better see what is inside.
J. Future envelopes may be devised that react to chemicals.
K. If a biological agent is put into an envelope perhaps it would change colors.
L. As a nation of people we want safety.
M. The Bible says that safety is found in only one place—Christ.
N. Listen to Heb. 6:18. READ.
O. There is a place where people can “flee for refuge.”
P. We find refuge in Christ and His body (the church).
XXIX). This is the only place where we can have true security.
XXX). Locked doors are good.
XXXI). Police and security guards are excellent precautions.
XXXII). Other security measures are comforting.
XXXIII). True security is only found in the Lord.
XXXIV). This
security is so strong that Heb.
XXXV). Our security and hope “anchor the soul.”
XXXVI). Knowing we are right with God gives us strength when we get up.
XXXVII). It helps us through the day.
XXXVIII). When we go to sleep it comforts us.
16. Even David recognized this.
17. David said, READ.
18. Our refuge is in God.
19. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT REFUGE AND THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF LIFE IT IS EASY TO THINK THAT THESE THINGS ARE NOT DESPERATELY NEEDED IN OUR AREA.
A. We live in the Midwest.
B. We live in a small community of about 30,000 people.
C. We are surely exempt from the “big problems” found in the world.
D. Our area is “safe.”
E. Last Thursday we found that we are not exempt.
F. This area may be “safer” than others but it is not safe.
G. We have in our area, just like other places, people who get angry.
H. A man with a gun has partially shattered the peace in a decent community.
I. This proves that we are not exempt.
J. Life is just as unpredictable for us as it is for the people who live in New York.
K. Our need for refuge is just as great as those who live anywhere else.
L. Though we and everyone else need to be prepared to meet God at any time, most do not prepare.
M. The Bible teaches that most will be lost.
N. In Mt. 22:14 Jesus said that “many are called but few are chosen.”
O. This was a figurative way of saying that all are invited but few choose to embrace God’s ways.
P. Few choose to take advantage of the refuge the Lord offers.
Q. Jesus once told a parable about 10 virgins.
R. The bridegroom came at a time that these young ladies didn’t expect.
S. Half of them were unprepared.
T. The number of the saved is so small Paul says it a remnant in Rom. 11:5-6.
U. In the ancient world Peter says that only 8 people were saved (1 Pet. 3:20-21).
V. Even in the ancient world people were deceived into thinking that they were safe.
W. A time came when the people’s lives were threatened.
X. When the threat finally arrived there was no escape.
Y. Some see life as a period of pursuing pleasure.
Z. Others use it to seek possessions.
AA. There are still others who use it to pursue status or something else.
BB. God warns us that we are to use our lives to seek Him.
CC. Life is a period we are to use to right our relationship with God.
20. Is this what we have done and are doing?
21. Have we become a Christian?
22. Are we living in a way that pleases God?
23. If not we may not have a tomorrow. We have not have a tonight.